Herb Schmalenberger
Encyclopedia
Herb Schmalenberger was a college football
coach at UC Davis. He served as head coach of football for the Aggies in 1958 and again from 1964 to 1969, men's swimming from 1957 to 1962 and men's basketball for the 1957-1958 season. He was interim athletics director in 1972 and 1988.
, where he first grew to love athletics while enrolled in an after-school sports program. He went on to play football and basketball in high school and received a scholarship to attend Washington State University
in Pullman
.
He studied briefly at Washington State and Willamette University
before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II
, where he served as a submarine
radioman
for three years.
After World War II Schmalenberger returned to college, graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education and a minor in history, as well as a California secondary teaching credential from UC Berkeley, where he played football for four years, including two Rose Bowl games. He helped coach the freshman football team during his fifth year at the university.
Schmalenberger went on to earn his master's degree from UC Berkeley in 1958 and completed coursework toward his doctorate at the University of Oregon
while simultaneously teaching and coaching.
Schmalenberger was married for 58 years to his wife, Maxine, and had five children and seven grandchildren.
During his 25 years at UC Davis, Schmalenberger served as vice chairman of the physical education department and supervisor in the teaching credential program. He also taught physical education activity and methods courses; he advised over 200 physical education major students during his tenure at UC Davis.
In his final season as head football coach, three of his players were drafted by the National Football League. He retired from the university in 1991.
Schmalenberger was active in promoting youth sports, establishing a summer sports program for local children and leading workshops for coaches throughout Northern California. He also served on the advisory commission for the Davis Recreation Department.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach at UC Davis. He served as head coach of football for the Aggies in 1958 and again from 1964 to 1969, men's swimming from 1957 to 1962 and men's basketball for the 1957-1958 season. He was interim athletics director in 1972 and 1988.
Personal life
Schmalenberger was born in 1925 in Oakland, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he first grew to love athletics while enrolled in an after-school sports program. He went on to play football and basketball in high school and received a scholarship to attend Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
in Pullman
Pullman, Washington
Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. The population was 24,675 at the 2000 census and 29,799 according to the 2010 census...
.
He studied briefly at Washington State and Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, where he served as a submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
radioman
Radioman
Radioman was a rating for United States Navy and United States Coast Guard enlisted personnel, specializing in communications technology.-History of the rating:...
for three years.
After World War II Schmalenberger returned to college, graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education and a minor in history, as well as a California secondary teaching credential from UC Berkeley, where he played football for four years, including two Rose Bowl games. He helped coach the freshman football team during his fifth year at the university.
Schmalenberger went on to earn his master's degree from UC Berkeley in 1958 and completed coursework toward his doctorate at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
while simultaneously teaching and coaching.
Schmalenberger was married for 58 years to his wife, Maxine, and had five children and seven grandchildren.
Coaching career
After graduating from college, Schmalenberger taught high school physical education and history for five years before coming to UC Davis in 1956 as assistant football coach and physical education instructor. He coached the Aggies to a 7-2 record and a share of the Far Western Conference title.During his 25 years at UC Davis, Schmalenberger served as vice chairman of the physical education department and supervisor in the teaching credential program. He also taught physical education activity and methods courses; he advised over 200 physical education major students during his tenure at UC Davis.
In his final season as head football coach, three of his players were drafted by the National Football League. He retired from the university in 1991.
Schmalenberger was active in promoting youth sports, establishing a summer sports program for local children and leading workshops for coaches throughout Northern California. He also served on the advisory commission for the Davis Recreation Department.